Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Dust Monk – Choppy Waters (2021)

We are constantly faced with choices and each choice leads to a path of differing difficulty. Dust Monk is considering the paths people choose in their latest single ‘Choppy Water’. With a very interesting soundscape, the duo looks at people choosing the more difficult path when the easy one was also available.

Phil Cain and Jamie McGregor use this single to embrace an unconventional soundscape making it one of the more interesting singles to cross our path. With a growing fanbase, the pair keep you guessing with curveball singles such as this one. Sitting on an album’s worth of music, the band is preparing for when live performances open again while really setting the bar with their current releases.



‘Choppy Water’ shimmers to life with twinkling tones before the vibrating depths take over. The beats have a slightly off-kilter feeling to them that works really well with the vibrating drone in the low levels. There are a few layers to the melody that all seem to be doing their own thing but come together for a ridiculously engaging single. It is a true testament to the musicality of the band that all these threads of sound come together so perfectly. As you are dropped into the unconventional soundscape, you feel every nook of your senses filled by the sound for a really encompassing listening experience.

While the melody almost bounces you around and comes from all sides, the vocals are a line of stability. The main vocal line is steady and strong against the current of the melody while the humming backing vocals add a new layer to the soundscape. The interplay between the vocal lines enhances the encompassing feeling of the track. Through all of this, the lyrics have an interesting tale to tell about diving into choppy water instead of still ponds. There is a lot that you are left to think about when the song comes to a close.

Dust Monk use a slightly off-kilter soundscape and intertwined vocal lines to draw you into the thoughts of ‘Choppy Waters’. If you are in the mood for a single that is completely different to everything else you are listening to, this is definitely the one you want. From an unconventional soundscape that covers every inch of you to vocals that slide and hum through you, the track ticks all the boxes while being delightfully unique.

Find out more about Dust Monk on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.